car rental under 21?

I am planning a trip to Australia and New Zeeland. I am aged 20 and I would like to rent a car. Unfortunately I read that it is not allowed to rent a car under 21 because of insurances.

Do you know if there is any possibility to rent a car under 21?

Raffi Balmanoukian at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it wrote on 1/18/04 12:29 AM:

Oh....and get a credit card which covers the insurance excess on the car (and decline the coverage in the contract).

this is why having pics of the vehicle on a digital camera with the rental company employee doing 2 thumbs up after the final inspection would be wise ... just in case you have to dispute charges that is

I just did a google search for "under 21 car rental" and I think you'll find it very hard to rent a car at your age - insurance is very expensive until age 25. The only car rental firms which appear to rent to under 21s are on the Gold Coast (Queensland).

You may find it easier getting around the major cities by public transport, and between them there are long distance coach passes and rail passes available.

A useful place to start planning is www.travelmate.com.au

This is just a guess, but maybe repositioning services might get you a car or two. Since it's a private person's car - you're just 'moving' it for them - whether you are covered would depend on what kind of coverage that owner has. Whether they are prepared to let a 20YO drive their car is another story 8-(

Not just the drive-by-nights!! I got a bill from Hertz for something like
AUD$485 "for damage" to a vehicle, plus an alleged 1/8 of a tank of petrol -
I had credit card insurance coverage, but that wasn't the point (and a docket for the fuel purchased around two blocks away from the terminal and ten minutes before turning the car in). After a lot of screeching, they acknowledged it was their mistake and gave me back the coin (with a substantial fluctuation in the currency exchange, and which I returned to the credit card company which had reimbursed me in first instance). I suspect it was a case of some guy taking it for a spin and then not owning up to the "damage," but the point is anybody can get a nasty surprise in this fashion. Take careful notes of any deficiencies (dings, chips) in the car before you drive away, get a written acknowledgement from the counter person, and if necessary take photos.

you are so young and have all the time in the world ... take a train what do you need the car for ... BTW ozzie girls are plenty friendly to a young foreigner even w/o a car